Membrane Attack Complex / Perforin like proteins in Defence, Attack and Developmental Biology. This proposal will result in a major advancement of knowledge, for example, in our understanding of the emerging links between immunity and development as well as the role and mechanism of function of the pore forming family of MACPF proteins in host defence, attack, embryo development and diseases such as cancer. These data will be crucial for developing approaches to control unwanted MACPF function, ....Membrane Attack Complex / Perforin like proteins in Defence, Attack and Developmental Biology. This proposal will result in a major advancement of knowledge, for example, in our understanding of the emerging links between immunity and development as well as the role and mechanism of function of the pore forming family of MACPF proteins in host defence, attack, embryo development and diseases such as cancer. These data will be crucial for developing approaches to control unwanted MACPF function, for example in disease such as diabetes or transplant rejection. Furthermore, a detailed understanding of how MACPF proteins assemble into rings and punch holes in membranes will facilitate the development of these proteins as technological tools.Read moreRead less
Delineating the role of the GxxxG motif in transmembrane protein metabolism. This study will define how a well defined motif involved in transmembrane interactions affects the metabolism of proteins. Since this motif is present in proteins involved in Alzheimer's disease it has potential benefits for community health and combating ageing.
Structure, dynamics and interactions of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-2. The solution structure of the merozoite surface protein-2 (MSP-2), from Plasmodium falciparum the causative agent of malaria, will be determined along with an analysis of the motions of residues within the protein. This will allow insights into interactions occurring at the surface coat of the organism, where MSP-2 is a major component. An understanding of how this protein interacts with antibodies of the ....Structure, dynamics and interactions of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-2. The solution structure of the merozoite surface protein-2 (MSP-2), from Plasmodium falciparum the causative agent of malaria, will be determined along with an analysis of the motions of residues within the protein. This will allow insights into interactions occurring at the surface coat of the organism, where MSP-2 is a major component. An understanding of how this protein interacts with antibodies of the host's immune system will also be gained. The techniques established during the study of MSP-2 will be useful for the study of larger proteins and protein complexes from many systems in the future.Read moreRead less
Understanding the molecular mechanism of force generation in the bacterial flagellar motor. The proposed research will advance the knowledge about how the bacterial flagellar motor works, enabling scientists to learn more about nature's blueprint of a nanoscale engine. It will address the fundamental question of how bacterial cells convert electrochemical energy into mechanical energy of rotation. At present, the smallest artificial electric motor is still on a micro-, rather than nanoscale. Nan ....Understanding the molecular mechanism of force generation in the bacterial flagellar motor. The proposed research will advance the knowledge about how the bacterial flagellar motor works, enabling scientists to learn more about nature's blueprint of a nanoscale engine. It will address the fundamental question of how bacterial cells convert electrochemical energy into mechanical energy of rotation. At present, the smallest artificial electric motor is still on a micro-, rather than nanoscale. Nanotechnology would therefore benefit from this work by basing their designs on the principles behind the mechanism of the bacterial motor. This research is also of interest for veterinary science, as motility by flagellar motor is a key virulence factor of common animal pathogens associated with, for example, listeriosis and gastroenteritis.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0226463
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$160,000.00
Summary
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Facility. The aim of this proposal is to establish the first fluorescence lifetime imaging facility (FLIM) in Australia. The imaging technique provided by the new facility when combined with the use of novel fluorescent protein technology will enable many different events, represented by protein-protein interactions, to be non-invasively, visualised spatially and temporally inside the living cell. The new facility will provide timely state-of -the-art infrastructu ....Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Facility. The aim of this proposal is to establish the first fluorescence lifetime imaging facility (FLIM) in Australia. The imaging technique provided by the new facility when combined with the use of novel fluorescent protein technology will enable many different events, represented by protein-protein interactions, to be non-invasively, visualised spatially and temporally inside the living cell. The new facility will provide timely state-of -the-art infrastructure necessary for research groups to further develop and maintain their international reputations, will build stronger research collaborations between partner institutions and will attract researchers from overseas.Read moreRead less
Transporting proteins to and within mitochondria. Mitochondria are found in all of our cells and are essential for life. They act like a nuclear power plant, providing the bulk of energy - but they can also kill the cell if the mitochondrial wall (membrane) is opened. Mitochondria contain about 1000 different proteins to function properly but almost all of them are made outside the compartment and must squeeze in through narrow membrane channels. This project will provide new insights into how p ....Transporting proteins to and within mitochondria. Mitochondria are found in all of our cells and are essential for life. They act like a nuclear power plant, providing the bulk of energy - but they can also kill the cell if the mitochondrial wall (membrane) is opened. Mitochondria contain about 1000 different proteins to function properly but almost all of them are made outside the compartment and must squeeze in through narrow membrane channels. This project will provide new insights into how proteins get into mitochondria and what factors help in this process. Besides providing new information about a process that is essential for life, the project will train students in molecular cellular biology techniques and will help foster strong international collaborations.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775708
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$289,680.00
Summary
X-ray Diffraction Microscope. The results of the research will substantially expand Australia's knowledge base in the area of diffraction, imaging and structural biology. It will build up our expertise in x-ray optics and synchrotron technology, and will open up a new approach to x-ray imaging and structure determination.
This will revolutionize our understanding of cellular and sub-cellular organisation with implications for the treatment of disease while the ability to determine structures ....X-ray Diffraction Microscope. The results of the research will substantially expand Australia's knowledge base in the area of diffraction, imaging and structural biology. It will build up our expertise in x-ray optics and synchrotron technology, and will open up a new approach to x-ray imaging and structure determination.
This will revolutionize our understanding of cellular and sub-cellular organisation with implications for the treatment of disease while the ability to determine structures of membrane proteins will open the door to fresh opportunities in rational drug design and biotechnology that will promote innovation in this industry, and the likely foundation of new start-up companies.Read moreRead less
An X-ray crystallographic investigation into co-receptors on T-lymphocytes. T lymphocytes are an indispensable cellular component of the immune system. The normal process of T cell selection in the thymus, and the ability of mature T cells to respond to foreign antigens are governed by receptor recognition and co-receptor mediated events. The co-receptors encompass a wide spectrum of structurally diverse proteins that are involved in adhesion, co-ligation and signal transduction. This proposa ....An X-ray crystallographic investigation into co-receptors on T-lymphocytes. T lymphocytes are an indispensable cellular component of the immune system. The normal process of T cell selection in the thymus, and the ability of mature T cells to respond to foreign antigens are governed by receptor recognition and co-receptor mediated events. The co-receptors encompass a wide spectrum of structurally diverse proteins that are involved in adhesion, co-ligation and signal transduction. This proposal aims to investigate, using X-ray crystallography as the primary research tool, co- receptors located on T-lymphocytes. This work will gain fundamental insights into co-receptor function.Read moreRead less
Molecular basis of the antimicrobial activity of the floral defensin, NaD1, for the plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. Filamentous fungi are responsible for many major plant diseases that result in devastating crop losses and food spoilage world wide. Currently there are no resistant cultivars or adequate chemical controls for many of these diseases. The plant defensin, NaD1, stops the growth of many pathogens, including the recalcitrant fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Botrytis cinerea, and has bee ....Molecular basis of the antimicrobial activity of the floral defensin, NaD1, for the plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. Filamentous fungi are responsible for many major plant diseases that result in devastating crop losses and food spoilage world wide. Currently there are no resistant cultivars or adequate chemical controls for many of these diseases. The plant defensin, NaD1, stops the growth of many pathogens, including the recalcitrant fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Botrytis cinerea, and has been shown to protect transgenic cotton against fungal infection in glasshouse and field trials. NaD1 has potential application for durable, broad spectrum fungal disease control in crops. This will lead to both environmental and economic benefits to Australia. Read moreRead less
Assessing the physiological roles of ubiquitination in regulating neuronal ion channels, receptors and transporters. Significant alterations in the activity neuronal transporters and receptors occur during tissue injury and regeneration as well as in many neurodegenerative disease states. Modulation of the pathways that control these transporters is an emerging therapeutic target, however, the molecular basis of these control mechanisms remain poorly understood. The outcome of this project will ....Assessing the physiological roles of ubiquitination in regulating neuronal ion channels, receptors and transporters. Significant alterations in the activity neuronal transporters and receptors occur during tissue injury and regeneration as well as in many neurodegenerative disease states. Modulation of the pathways that control these transporters is an emerging therapeutic target, however, the molecular basis of these control mechanisms remain poorly understood. The outcome of this project will be a thorough characterisation of a novel regulatory paradigm in neurons that is likely to be crucial for neuronal development and regeneration, and will potentially provide novel therapeutic targets for various neuronal diseases.Read moreRead less